Protest staged to condemn attack on journalist’s house

PESHAWAR: Local journalists on Monday staged protest on the Sher Shah Suri Road to condemn the grenade attack on the residence of a senior journalist, Jamshed Baghwan.

The protestors, who came out from the Peshawar Press Club in a procession, were led by Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) President Nisar Mahmood and Peshawar Press Club President Nasir Hussain. The protesters were holding banners and placards demanding protection to mediapersons and the arrest of the attackers.

Addressing the protesting journalists, the KhUJ president condemned the attack on the residence of Jamshed Baghwan, bureau chief of a private television channel, and described it an attempt to gag voice of the journalists. He said it was not the first incident but over 100 journalists had lost their lives in the line of duty across the country.

“The attackers, whoever they may be, cannot suppress our voice through such mean tactics because journalists are ready to render sacrifices for fulfilling their professional duties at all costs without succumbing to any pressure,” he said.The press club president said it was duty of the government to hold an inquiry into the matter and unveil the offenders involved in the terrorist act.

He said that targeting the journalists was meant to silence voice of the society. He said that it was the second attack on the journalist as previously an improvised explosive device had been recovered from the locality.

A large number of media people attended the protest and chanted slogans seeking protection to the journalists. Former provincial minister and ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain also visited the Press Club to express solidarity with the journalists and condemn the attack on Jamshed Baghwan’s house.